Words of Gratitude from Around the World

One of the things that has been affirmed for me over the past two months in seminary is that Sacred Writings exist everywhere.  Often, we humans, have an egocentric view of the world, believing we, personally, are the only ones with the answers, and even, sometimes, the questions.  Of course, for every question, there are multiple ways to answer, often saying the same thing, but simply using different words.  (Ask any teacher or lawyer this and they will tell you it is true!)

The following are poems and prayers of gratitude from various cultures and religions.  May the beauty of their words touch your heart, and lift your soul.  

Oludumare, oh Divine One! I give thanks

to You, the one who is as near as my

heartbeat, and more anticipated than my

next breath. Let Your wisdom become one

with this vessel as I lift my voice in

thanks for Your love.

African - Yoruban

~~~~~

Great Spirit, Divine One, Creator

who is heaven earth rock wind insect tree fox

human of every size shape color

Holy are your infinite names chanted sung whispered

shouted in every language, tongue.

We will midwife the rebirth of Gaia

as best we can

restoring the Great Law of Peace.

Guide our hands to the soil and seed

honoring the alchemy of food.

Let us remember your abundance

and share the bread of life with any who hunger.

We are for giving

and giving and giving.

We trust in the give-away.

We give and receive.

Let us be humble before the darkness and the light

walking in harmony amidst them.

Give us courage to know them intimately

both within and without.

For you have breathed it all---

the behind, the above, the below, the beyond.

Your awesome power courses in our veins

and animates our hearts.

You are the Great Drum.

We thank you.

translation of the Lord's Prayer

from King James to Gaian - Claudia L'amoreaux

~~~~~

Welcome Morning - Anne Sexton

There is joy

in all:

in the hair I brush each morning,

in the Cannon towel, newly washed,

that I rub my body with each morning,

in the chapel of eggs I cook

each morning,

in the outcry from the kettle

that heats my coffee

each morning,

in the spoon and the chair

that cry "hello there, Anne,"

each morning,

in the godhead of the table

that I set my silver, plate, cup upon

each morning.

All this is God,

right here in my pea-green house

each morning

and I mean,

though often forget,

to give thanks,

to faint down by the kitchen table

in a prayer of rejoicing

as the holy birds at the kitchen window

peck into their marriage of seeds.

So while I think of it,

let me paint a thank-you on my palm

for this God, this laughter of the morning,

lest it go unspoken.

The joy that isn't shared, I've heard,

dies young.

~~~~~

We return thanks to our mother,

the earth, which sustains us.

We return thanks to the rivers and streams

which supply us with water.

We return thanks to all herbs, which furnish medicines

for the cure of our diseases.

We return thanks to the corn, and to her sisters,

the beans and squashes, which give us life.

We return thanks to the bushes and trees,

which provide us with fruit.

We return thanks to the wind,

which, moving the air, has banished diseases.

We return thanks to the moon and the stars,

which have given us their light when the sun was gone.

We return thanks to our grandfather He-no,

that he has protected his grandchildren from witches and reptiles,

and has given us his rain.

We return thanks to the sun,

that he has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.

Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit,

in whom is embodied all goodness,

and who directs all things for the good of his children.

Native People - Iroquois

~~~~~

Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,

For all the benefits thou hast won for me,

For all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me.

O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother,

May I know thee more clearly,

Love thee more dearly,

And follow thee more nearly:

For ever and ever.

Prayer of St Richard of Chichester - 1197-1253

 ~~~~~

That she was taken out of her mother,

thanks be for that!

That she, the little one,

was taken out of her, we say,

thanks be for that!

Native People - West Greenland Eskimo

~~~~~

(Prayers above from World Prayers)

~~~~~

Buddhist Pray of Thanksgiving

(serving the food)

In this food I see clearly

the presence of the entire universe

supporting my existence.

(looking at the plate of food)

All living beings are struggling

for life.May they all have enough food

to eat today.

(just before eating)

The plate is filled with food.

I am aware that each morsel

is the fruit

of much hard work

by those who produced it.

(beginning to eat)

With the first taste, I promise

to practice loving kindness.

With the second, I promise

to relieve the suffering of others.

With the third,

I promise to see others' joy as my own.

With the fourth,

I promise to learn the way of nonattachment and equanimity.

(after the meal)

The plate is empty.

My hunger is satisfied.

I vow to live for the benefit

of all living beings.

~~~~~

What Was Told, That

by Jalal al-Din Rumi

translated by Coleman Barks

What was said to the rose that made it open was said

to me here in my chest.

What was told the cypress that made it strong

and straight, what was

whispered the jasmine so it is what it is, whatever made

sugarcane sweet, whatever

was said to the inhabitants of the town of Chigil in

Turkestan that makes them

so handsome, whatever lets the pomegranate flower blush

like a human face, that is

being said to me now. I blush. Whatever put eloquence in

language, that's happening here.

The great warehouse doors open; I fill with gratitude,

chewing a piece of sugarcane,

in love with the one to whom every that belongs!

Namasté

Related articles

• Attitude of Gratitude (contemplativeed.blogspot.com)
• Why Relationships Last (silverandgrace.com)